According to several sources, New York Mets reliever Seth Lugo threw a bullpen session on Wednesday. This, after throwing on flat ground on Monday. The pitcher could potentially return as soon as Friday.
Lugo, probably the Mets’ most dependable set-up pitcher, remarked after the session, “the way it feels and the way it’s coming out, I feel ready to go.” Most certainly music to Mets fans ears as the team has been riddled with injuries over the last weeks.
Lugo was placed on the 10-day IL on May 20 due to right shoulder tendinitis. The 29-year-old right-hander is 2-0 this year with a 3.12 ERA in 19 appearances. Seth has suffered this injury once before in 2017, but only missed one start. With Lugo out of action, Mets manager Mickey Callaway has had to reshuffle his bullpen.
Moving pieces here, adding pieces there.
Hector Santiago was called up from Triple-A Syracuse to take Lugo’s spot in the bullpen. Tyler Bashlor, Drew Gagnon among others have seen their roles changed appearing in what Callaway likes to call more high-leverage situations. Some outings have worked out fine, others, like the 9-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday not so good. In that game, four Mets pitchers came out of the bullpen and gave up seven runs in a 9-5 Mets loss.
With Lugo back as the chief set-up man, hopefully, the bullpen will stabilize somewhat and although the bullpen’s ERA has been better in May than in April, it still can be erratic. Lugo is expected to throw at least one more bullpen session before he faces live batters.
